Most commented posts
- Heart to heart connection — 8 comments
- April update, a Midorikai interlude — 6 comments
- Making a good bowl of koicha — 6 comments
- It is harder than it looks — 6 comments
- Seeing things as they are — 6 comments
Author's posts
Things that Chado has taught me
I have been reflecting on my journey with tea. I feel so lucky that Chado has come into my life and I have had so many opportunities of a lifetime. From my study at Midorikai, to meeting Daisosho, to experiencing tea events that were transcendent and transforming. I want to express gratitude to all of …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/things-that-chado-has-taught-me/
The longing for belonging
Growing up, I went to six different grade schools, two junior high schools, and two high schools. Moving every year or every other year, we were always the new kids in school. That meant my brother was always getting into fights to prove himself. For me it was the mean girls. We never …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/the-longing-for-belonging/
The Crucible
A crucible is a severe test or trial or an extremely challenging experience. A situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new. This figurative sense of crucible is based on the literal meaning of the word: a heat-resistant container used to melt metals
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/the-crucible/
Between lessons
I have recently begun okeiko again with Bonnie Mitchell-sensei via Zoom. I am so grateful for the time and energy that she invests in every lesson. It has been more than 18 years since I attended weekly okeiko. After so many years on the teaching side, being a student again is humbling. Yet every …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/between-lessons/
Is there magic in the world?
My husband teases me that anything I can’t explain, I just call it magic. For example, we were talking about radio the other day. Without a network link like WiFi or Bluetooth (both magic by the way), music, discussion, storytelling all get into these boxes. How does that work? Magic!
When the sun sets, if …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/is-there-magic-in-the-world/